I think the rest of the world might like to know about this initiative. Several towns in Australia have decided to ban plasitc shopping bags from retail outlets. Australia uses 7 billion plastic bags every year, and enough of them are disposed of badly to make them a big threat to our forna (especially marine life) and our general environment.
Many retailers here are now selling reuseable canvas or calico bags (for about $1)as an alternative, which is proving popular, and many other councils and local authorities are seriously looking at following this lead from Huskisson and Kangaroo Valley.
Wherever you live in the world this is a great way to help your environment. Make this an issue for your next local election.
Planet Ark's Plastic Bag Campaign
South Australian Government initiatives
Tourist town shuns plastic bags
PS. As j2k4 will inevitably point out, this will have major repecussions for industry - plastic bag makers will suffer badly. On the other hand, reusable bag makers will be much better off and smart people will be changing their businesses to meet the new demand. Sorry j2k4, thought I'd get in first
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